Climate change mitigation: What Saudi Arabia and Japan can learn from one another

Climate change mitigation: What Saudi Arabia and Japan can learn from one another

DUBAI / BOGOTA: Late last year, Yoshihide Suga, the prime minister of Japan, unveiled a major policy shift, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero and realize a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

As Saudi Arabia launches its own ambitious environmental initiatives, experts say the two countries have much to learn from one another as both the Kingdom and Japan remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

Japan is the world's fifth-biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, making timely steps towards renewable energy use and cuts in fossil fuel imports imperative for the country to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Responding to climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth, says Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga. (AFP)

"Responding to climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth,“ Suga said in his first policy address to parliament. "We need to change our thinking to the view that taking assertive measures against climate change will lead to changes in industrial structure and the economy that will bring about great growth.“

Building on Suga's speech, Japan presented its "Green Growth Strategy in line with Carbon Neutrality in 2050“ in December, setting out an industrial policy that marries economic growth with environmental protection.

As part of his plan, Japan will energize